By Writing Vire
Published on 25 Jan 21 at 11:14
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The controversy surrounding this organ affair, located in the St-Louis de Vire Normandy chapel and who should be transferred to Germany, for lack of means to restore it, continues to swell. David Trouchaud, director of The hills of Normandy hospital group, which includes in particular theVire hospital, believes that there is an urgent need for clarification.
“My arms fall to me”
Right away, he lets go:
“I am amazed at the overreactions that have arisen. Arms fall to me, so much has been told everything and its opposite. ”
The ownership of the organ having, in particular, been discussed, he replied dryly: “The ownership of this Cavaillé-Coll is not not contestable ! He recalls that the organ received a donation of 10,000 francs from Mlle Polinière. It was installed on May 15, 1864, at the initiative of theAbbot Constant Dolé [né à Vire le 6 février 1807, décédé le 17 février 1864], who was chaplain of the Saint-Louis hospice.
“Those who dispute the ownership of this property will be dismissed in court. The right to property cannot be violated by an association, even if it is a safeguard! ”
Jacques May, director in charge of mission with the GHT, adds: “The Saint-Louis building is listed in the patrimony of the establishment. This building is therefore the hospital property. »
–The organ ceded to the bishopric of Mainz
“We are committed to theBishopric of Mainz, Germany, to hand over this instrument to him so that it can be restored in optimal conditions, ”explains David Trouchaud. In this hypothesis, it would also be installed in a chapel.
“The objective pursued, being to use the organ for religious services but also to organize concerts in favor, in particular, of the residents. This would be to reconnect with the original project. ”
He states that, in view of the international health situation, theorgan would be transferred in the spring, or even next summer.
The support of 35 personalities
This project was presented to the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs of Normandy (Drac) and at sub-prefect of Vire. “Who gave us their agreement,” confirms David Trouchaud.
“The Drac, in writing, in November 2020, authorizing an operation to dismantle, restore, transport and refit the organ. ”
He is convinced to present a credible project, which obtained the necessary authorizations. “The project brings together around fifteen donors. And the support of some 35 renowned personalities. He quotes, among others, the German Federal Minister of Agriculture; the ambassador of‘Germany in France ; the president of the University of Strasbourg. And also, Erwan Le Prado, holder of the great organs of the Saint-Etienne church of Caen and Marc Baumann, organist of the cathedral of Strasbourg…
The hospital cannot afford
The reasoning of David Trouchaud, and his team, is clear. And above all pragmatic. He considers thatCavaillé-Coll organ is in a advanced state of degradation. It is located in the Saint-Louis chapel, which is presumed to be dangerous, since it is the subject of an unfavorable public access notice. As the security conditions are not met, enormous renovation work is to be expected.
“The hospital does not have the means,” insists the director. “We will never finance the renovation of a cultural property with national health insurance expenditure target credits (Ondam). “
Who cared about the future of the organ?
He also has a good game to press where it hurts: “It’s an instrument that has not been used for 70 years! Who cared? ” Hélène Cojean, Deputy Director of the Vire Hospital Center, adds:
“Interest in this organ only arose when our project was revealed. In reality, only the representatives of the general management were concerned with the future of this instrument. “
She then asks a cutting question: “Can the association for the preservation of the Saint-Louis chapel invoke a single positive action that it has been led to take in favor of the organ?” Jacques May goes on to say that in 1957 an establishment in Nantes already recommended its restoration. ” Since that date nothing has been done, apart from pouring a concrete screed on the pedals, during the work carried out in the Saint-Louis nursing home. We can obviously regret it. “
No credible competing project
Arrived at this stage, David Trouchaud launches a question which he considers to be common sense: “Who will invest?” 500 000 € to restore the Saint-Louis chapel? And 200 000 € for the restoration of the organ? “For him, it is totally unrealistic to think that we can, by the month of March, pull out of his hat a competing, credible and funded project. “Because restore the organ in situ without restoring the chapel makes no sense! “
Anyway, there remains a decisive deadline, the vote of the Supervisory Board of the hospital, in March 2021, chaired by Marc Andreu Sabater, Mayor of Vire Normandie, “Who has always supported us,” emphasizes David Trouchaud. Pascal Martin, opposition municipal councilor, also sits on the Supervisory Board. “We will comply with the vote, since it is a legal condition necessary for the transfer of assets. But I remain very serene about its outcome, ”he concludes.
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